Abstract

The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (IenW) is set to revise soil regulations in the coming years to ensure their suitability for the future. Current regulations are seen as complex by users, necessitating alignment with the latest scientific insights. Additionally, there are concerns among citizens regarding the safety of reusing soil and dredged material for both human health and the environment. These regulatory updates encompass the reuse of soil and dredged material across various contexts, including on land, in deep lakes, and beneath roads.

Consequently, RIVM has conducted an analysis of bottlenecks within the regulations governing the reuse of soil and dredged material. For example, while thermally treated soil may meet standards, it can still have environmental impacts, such as releasing salts for which no standards exist. Moreover, soil may contain materials, such as plastic particles, for which there are currently no established standards.

RIVM also offers potential solutions to address these bottlenecks. Based on this analysis, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management can prioritise which bottlenecks to tackle first within the existing legal rules and standards. More complex bottlenecks may necessitate further research, and resolving them may require more time if legislative changes are needed.

In conducting the study, RIVM assessed standards for soil and dredged material, as well as regulations governing their use. Presently, these standards and regulations primarily focus on chemical pollutants. However, RIVM emphasises the importance of ensuring the well-being of plants and animals within soil and water systems, protecting groundwater and restoring biodiversity. Furthermore, it is essential to manage issues related to new contaminants such as PFAS and agricultural protection measures. This can be achieved, in part, by establishing standards and regulations for these substances.